Control of Terrain in Iraq: April 3, 2015

The city center of Tikrit has been recaptured by the ISF and allied forces with the support of coalition airstrikes.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/control-terrain-iraq-april-3-2015

ISIS Sanctuary: April 3, 2015

ISIS lost control over central Tikrit following an offensive by the ISF and allied forces with the support of coalition airstrikes. Tikrit was announced captured by the government on April 1, 2015, and PM Abadi, ISF commanders, and local government officials have toured the city center. Since that time, clashes have not been reported in the city and reports that looting of homes is taking place further indicates that combat operations in Tikrit have ceased. The areas immediately surrounding Tikrit likely remain an ISIS attack zone, however.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/isis-sanctuary-april-3-2015

Iraq Situation Report: April 2-3, 2015

The recent capture of Tikrit with U.S. air support and the absence of Iraqi Shi'a militias has undermined Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’a militias’ reputation as indispensable allies to the ISF and the government.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-april-2-3-2015

Iraq Situation Report: March 26-27, 2015

Iranian-backed militias have exhibited mixed reactions to the participation of the U.S.-led coalition in the Tikrit operation.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-26-27-2015

Ukraine Crisis Update: March 26, 2015

Against the backdrop of continued ­fighting outside Mariupol and Donetsk, Ukrainian oligarch and volunteer battalion fi­nancier Ihor Kolomoyskyi stole the headlines this week.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-crisis-update-march-26-2015

Iraq Situation Report: March 24-25, 2015

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has announced that the "last phase" of the Salah ad-Din operations has begun, likely in reference to the operation to retake Tikrit.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-24-25-2015

Iraq Situation Report: March 21-23, 2015

The deployments of ISF units from the south to various fronts in western and northern Iraq between December 2013 and the present has caused a security vacuum in the southern provinces.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-21-23-2015

Iraq Situation Report: March 18-20, 2015

Iraqi Security Forces, Shi'a militias, and the Popular Mobilization have begun to shell Tikrit. Shelling may disrupt ISIS within the city, making further advances to clear ISIS possible. Shelling will also likely inflict civilian casualties, which may have divisive consequences within the Popular Mobilization.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-18-20-2015

The Taliban Resurgent: Threats to Afghanistan’s Security

The success or failure of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan has reached a critical juncture. Far from defeated, the ongoing Afghan insurgency remains a serious challenge and threatens to reverse hard-won prior gains.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/report/taliban-resurgent-threats-afghanistans-security

Ukraine Crisis Update: March 19, 2015

Amidst ongoing low-level

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-crisis-update-march-19-2015

Syria Situation Report: March 9 - 17, 2015

The regime’s claimed downing of an American predator drone may signify regime intent to assert its sovereignty in the context of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/syria-situation-report-march-9-17-2015

Iraq Situation Report: March 12-13, 2015

Various Iraqi forces are pressuring ISIS on three different fronts, all of which are of strategic importance to the organization. ISIS will therefore likely attempt to escalate its attacks elsewhere to divert the resources of these forces.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-12-13-2015

Control of Terrain in Iraq: March 12, 2015

The main area of Alam sub-district, NE of Tikrit, was declared retaken from ISIS by the ISF, Iraqi Shi’a militias, and local Iraqi Sunni fighters on March 9. Since then, there have been no reports of clashes in the area to suggest a continued presence of ISIS or a concrete effort by ISIS to retake Alam.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/control-terrain-iraq-march-12-2015

Ukraine Crisis Update: March 12, 2015

While Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that both the separatists and Ukrainian Anti-Terror Operation (ATO) forces had withdrawn a large amount of heavy weaponry in accordance with the February 12 ceasefire agreement, shelling and clashes persisted in several key areas across the frontline.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-crisis-update-march-12-2015

Wilayat Sinai Likely Preparing for Car Bomb Campaign

Key Take-away: The threat of large-scale attacks in North Sinai by ISIS’s Wilayat Sinai is elevated as of March 12, 2015, but this threat is not assessed to directly target the upcoming Egypt Economic Development Conference in Sharm al-Sheikh scheduled for March 13-15, 2015 due to heightened security in South Sinai. Wilayat Sinai may, however, conduct attacks elsewhere during the conference in order to portray instability and derail economic and political opportunities for the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/wilayat-sinai-likely-preparing-car-bomb-campaign

MSNBC's The Cycle--Is ISIS Going to Lose?

Chris Harmer

"I think it’s important that the American people know this is a long-term fight and that what we’re doing right now, while effective in the short-term, is not going to result in the long-term destruction of ISIS.”

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/msnbcs-cycle-isis-going-lose

Iraq Situation Report: March 10-11, 2015

The operation to retake Tikrit city appears to have begun.

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-10-11-2015

Syria Situation Report: March 2-10, 2015

JN Designates Main Effort in Dera’a Despite Airstrike Targeting JN Leadership in Idlib: JN appears to have designated a main effort by deploying a significant convoy of military reinforcements

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/syria-situation-report-march-2-10-2015

July 2014 Iraq panel

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/photos/july-2014-iraq-panel

LTG H.R. McMaster at ISW

For full report: http://www.understandingwar.org/photos/ltg-hr-mcmaster-isw